The World Spirometry Day 2012 was held in Plovdiv under the patronage of Dr. Daniela Daritkova, Chairwoman of the parliamentary Healthcare Committee. The day was officially opened with parade and performance of the folk ensembles “100 pipes” and “101 bag pipes”. The marking of the Spirometry Day was proposed by the Bulgarian Society of Lung Diseases in partnership with the Municipality of Plovdiv, the Medical University of Plovdiv, the Bulgarian Association of People with Asthma, the National Alliance of People with Rare Diseases, the Association of Medical Students in the city of Plovdiv.

The opening was attended by Assistant professor Vladimir Hodgev – member of the managing board of the Bulgarian Society of Lung Diseases, Mrs. Diana Angelova, President of the Bulgarian Association of People with Asthma, Mr. Rosalin Petkov – Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv and Prof. Stefan Kostyanev – Rector of the Medical University of Plovdiv.

The aim of our initiative is to encourage people to take care of their lung health and to submit themselves to regular prophylactic check ups. The ban on smoking in public spaces is an important step in the healthcare of Bulgarians and the effect of the measure will soon be felt, stated Dr. Daritkova at the opening.

Every year 4000 men in Bulgaria are diagnosed with lung cancer, 13 % of Bulgarians suffer from asthma and chronic obstructive lung diseases, said Dr. Hodgev. He emphasized that lung diseases sit at the first place of morbidity and are the leading cause of death. The World Health Organization forecasts a considerable increase in the occurrence of lung diseases in the near future, as well as of their growing medical, social and financial impact. Smoking, lack of physical activity and bad dietary habits are among the leading factors contributing to most of the chronic ailments. That is why we, as specialists, admire the total ban on smoking in Bulgaria, Dr. Hodgev added.

During the World Spirometry Day free lung function tests are performed in more than 160 cities around the world. The same is to be done throughout the day in Plovdiv. Around 300 people underwent the free check up in Plovdiv in the first several hours.